Release Date: 17/10/16
Publisher: Universal Pictures UK
SYNOPSIS:
Philip DeGuere writes and directs this fantasy adventure based on the Marvel comics character. After predicting the return to Earth of the evil sorceress Morgan LeFay (Jessica Walter), shaman Lindmer (John Mills) trains young psychiatry resident Dr Stephen Strange (Peter Wooten) in the ways of the mystic arts in order for him to take control of the elements and save the world.
REVIEW:
I've agonised over writing this review as to be honest I didn't want the Marvel fans to jump down my neck for slating a film that is utterly terrible, but with the soon to be Cinema Revamp release under the Marvel name coming in November, I was given the chance to view the original Tv movie so thought what the hell.
What occurs within is a sheer mess, its overly long for what little plot they have, the characters are poorly 2d and sadly never give you what you would expect of the character from the comic books as he has no personality what so ever as opposed ot being charismatic and a charmer.
The plot is drivel, written to bring in the Arthurian mythos and sadly doesn't make any sense when looked at from an outside point of view. Back this up with dire acting, character twists that were nonsensical alongside dialogue that had more wood in it than the Amazon and all round I was very disappointed. IT really is not a surprise that this didn't get a TV series from it.
Release Date: 09/02/15
Publisher: Universal Pictures UK
SYNOPSIS:
Gary Shore directs and Luke Evans stars in this fantasy horror origin story. The film follows Vlad Tepes (Evans) and his struggle to protect his family and his people from the malevolent Ottoman sultan Mehmed (Dominic Cooper), whose ever-expanding empire has put Vlad's homeland in danger of being conquered. Desperate to find a solution, Vlad seeks the help of a mysterious man (Charles Dance) who grants him the powers to defeat his enemy. But do these newly-gained powers come at too high a price?
REVIEW:
As a fan of the early Turtles cartoon it was pretty cool to hear that it was back for my nephew’s generation as a three d animation and whilst I missed the old villain characters like Beebop and Rocksteady, the new series had their own set of villains for the heroes to deal with.
So having been a fan of the Transformers franchise, when I heard Michael Bay was having a hand in dealing with the new film I thought it should be a pretty solid offering that would be fun for all. Yet originally upon release all I heard were negatives. It worried me and put me off, after all the cast looked solid enough, so I thought it could only be something to do with the script.
So when the DVD came out, I was lucky enough to get a review copy and settled myself in not expecting too much from this new release but actually I was pretty sold within the first few minutes. I liked the way that they poked fun at other hero franchises, loved the way that April O’Neal came across as the still sassy reporter and when added to the over villainy of William Fichtner really worked well for me.
All round a film that whilst not an Oscar winner, was something that not only entertained me but also gave me a good laugh, definitely worth watching with your kids and for me is something I look forward to watching with my nephews. Cowabunga.
Release Date: 16/02/15
Publisher: Paramount Home Entertainment
SYNOPSIS:
Darkness has settled over New York City as Shredder and his evil Foot Clan have an iron grip on everything from the police to the politicians. The future is grim until four unlikely outcast brothers rise from the sewers and discover their destiny as Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles. The Turtles must work with fearless reporter April O'Neil and her cameraman Vern Fenwick to save the city and unravel Shredder's diabolical plan.
REVIEW:
As a fan of the early Turtles cartoon it was pretty cool to hear that it was back for my nephew’s generation as a three d animation and whilst I missed the old villain characters like Beebop and Rocksteady, the new series had their own set of villains for the heroes to deal with.
So having been a fan of the Transformers franchise, when I heard Michael Bay was having a hand in dealing with the new film I thought it should be a pretty solid offering that would be fun for all. Yet originally upon release all I heard were negatives. It worried me and put me off, after all the cast looked solid enough, so I thought it could only be something to do with the script.
So when the DVD came out, I was lucky enough to get a review copy and settled myself in not expecting too much from this new release but actually I was pretty sold within the first few minutes. I liked the way that they poked fun at other hero franchises, loved the way that April O’Neal came across as the still sassy reporter and when added to the over villainy of William Fichtner really worked well for me.
All round a film that whilst not an Oscar winner, was something that not only entertained me but also gave me a good laugh, definitely worth watching with your kids and for me is something I look forward to watching with my nephews. Cowabunga.
Release Date: 13/10/14
Publisher: Sony Pictures Entertainment
SYNOPSIS:
Dive into the depths of unspeakable terror as Sharknado's Cassie Scerbo comes face to fin with a swarm of bloodsucking sea monsters in this suspense-drenched chiller co-starring Jonathan Lipnicki (Jerry Maguire), Brandon Beemer (TV's "The Bold and the Beautiful") and Kevin Dobson (TV's "Knots Landing"). While dredging for gold beneath the Bering Sea, siblings Donna (Scerbo) and Joe (Lipnicki) are confronted by a horde of horrific sea vampires. When their father (Dobson) falls victim to the insatiable creatures, Donna and Joe join forces with a dedicated marine biologist (Jacqueline Fleming, Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter) and a loyal deckhand (Beemer) to kill or be killed by the beasts.
REVIEW:
OK, so you love silly films, you’ve watched both Sharknado’s and are looking for something that you don’t have to think about to watch over the holiday period, something that will make you laugh, something fun and above all else something that you can just sit back and allow to happen. So what are you going to watch?
Well how about this, Damn Sea Vampires (AKA Beasts of the Bering Sea in the US) which is set around Alaskan Gold dredgers. These weird creatures are disturbed when new land is opened up and unleash their own brand of mayhem as the crew of the ship that originally disturbed them try to put the uprising down.
Its quirky, its fun and above all else it’s a film that gave me a few chuckles a I watched it. Defintiely something that I’m going to make sure my twin gets of a copy of as I know he and his friend Les will get an absolute blast from it. OK so the acting isn’t great and the plot is a bit ludicrous but all round when you just want something to relieve some of the tension or just a break from all those damn Christmas repeats then pick this up.
Release Date: 27/10/14
Publisher: 20th Century Fox
SYNOPSIS:
Witches of East End stars Julia Ormond as Joanna Beauchamp, an ageless mother trying to keep a supernatural secret from her daughters, Freya (Jenna Dewan-Tatum) and Ingrid (Rachel Boston), so they can lead a normal life. But when Joanna's estranged sister (Mädchen Amick) arrives to warn her of an evil entity out to destroy them all, Joanna is forced to reveal the truth about her family's magical legacy. Co-starring Virginia Madsen, Eric Winter and Daniel DiTomasso, this powerful and enchanting drama series will cast its spell on you!
Special features:
Falling Under Their Spell
Deleted Scenes
Gag Reel
Cat Blooper
Episode List:
Pilot
Marilyn Fenwick, R.I.P.
Today I Am a Witch
Few Good Talismen, A
Electric Avenue
Potentia Noctis
Unburied
Snake Eyes
Parching Imbued, A
Falling Under Their Spell
REVIEW:
OK, I am aware of the books that this series is based on and whilst I haven’t read them, I jumped into this having seen the adverts for series two being advertised (Ed note: the TV series has been cancelled after the conclusion of the second season with multiple threads lest open.)
Whilst I wasn’t sure what to expect the first episode took me back to watching the original series of Charmed and whilst it was only the witchcraft that was the same theme throughout the two the supernatural characters in this one felt more than a little out of sink with the others sharing their screen time.
Don’t get me wrong, it was definitely something that after a few more episodes that I got into however if I’d just watched the first and left it at that I may well have thought not much to it. It does get more interesting and gripping the further into it that you get. All round something a little different and whilst it has a familiarity that supernatural fans can get into.
Release Date: 27/10/14
Publisher: 20th Century Fox
SYNOPSIS:
In this modern-day twist on Washington Irving’s classic, Ichabod Crane (Tom Mison, Salmon Fishing in the Yemen) is resurrected and pulled two and a half centuries through time to unravel a mystery that dates all the way back to the founding fathers. Revived alongside Ichabod is the infamous Headless Horseman who is on a murderous rampage in present-day Sleepy Hollow. Ichabod quickly realizes that stopping Headless is just the beginning, as the resurrected rider is but the first of the Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse and only one of the many formidable foes that Ichabod must face to protect not only Sleepy Hollow, but the world. As Ichabod finds himself in 2013’s Sleepy Hollow, he discovers a town he no longer recognises and grapples to understand. Teaming up with Lieutenant Abbie Mills (Nicole Beharie, 42, The Good Wife, Shame), a young cop who has her own supernatural experiences, the two embark on a mission to stop the evil that has awoken along with Ichabod and that now is seeping into this once-sleepy town.
REVIEW:
Ah a title that conjures up the image of a backwater village in Westchester County, where an educated man comes face to face with superstition and whilst this series is set in the same town, the whole concept has a new twists as Icabod Crane awakens in modern times facing his old nemesis The Headless Horseman.
It’s a quirky series and for me, I love the principle actor, Tom Mison, brings this literary character not only to life but as a man out of his time with old fashioned values trying to find his way in a modern world whilst facing an ancient evil that no one believes in any more.
Its wonderfully written, with witchcraft fantastic plot lines and of course and overall arc that keeps readers watching from episode to episode as they try to fathom some of the darker mysteries to be revealed. All round a cracking series and one that I am more than happy to watch a few more times. A great idea for a Christmas present for those who like something darkly delicious over the holiday period.
Release Date: 04/08/14
Publisher: Sony Home Entertainment
SYNOPSIS:
After interfering with a top secret mission, THE PUNISHER is taken into custody by S.H.I.E.L.D. AGENT and AVENGER, BLACK WIDOW. At the orders of Director Nick Fury, Punisher and Black Widow are sent on a mission to stop LEVIATHAN, a global terrorist organization that plans to sell stolen S.H.I.E.L.D. technology to the highest bidder. Now, the vigilante and spy must work together to prevent this technology from falling into the wrong hands. The fate of the world, and of the AVENGERS, hangs in the balance.
DVD bonus features:
“Espionage and Punishment” featurette -- This featurette looks at the exciting versions of these popular Marvel characters as adapted in this stunning style of anime. From early concept art and storyboards to the final film, all aspects of creating the compelling story of this unique anime feature are explored.
“The Vigilante Vs. The Spy” featurette – A look at the Marvel’s Frank Castle (The Punisher) and Natasha Romanoff (Black Widow). Each of these characters feature dark and complex origins that led them to extreme action and extraordinary lives.
Go behind-the-scenes of AVENGERS CONFIDENTIAL: BLACK WIDOW & PUNISHER with two revealing, making-of featurettes “Espionage and Punishment” and “The Vigilante Vs. The Spy.” In both featurettes, fans will hear from filmmakers on the highly anticipated pairing of two of Marvel’s most deadly Super Heroes.
REVIEW:
I’d been looking forward to this since I heard about it a few months ago, yet whilst I was excited, I did wonder how they could bring two major kickass killers to a 12 market without compromising on what fans will be demanding. What the tale brought across was something that was sadly lacking. The story was pretty sketchy, Black Widow was overly emotional and when you add the Punishers no nonsense attitude, it left me feeling that she was more a damsel in need of rescue and emotionally unable to cope with the situation.
It felt wrong, it didn’t have the strengths that I was coming to expect from this and to be totally brutal BW was little more than a tease with her sly comments who would fall apart as parts of the story were uncovered. All in, it just didn’t work and to be honest its not one I’ll be re-watching in the future.
Release Date: November 2000
Publisher: 2 Entertain Video
SYNOPSIS:
The straight-talking star of the Staines Massive returns with a compilation of highlights and out-takes from 'Da Ali G Show'. Includes Ali in the USA, visiting NASA and the National Rifle Association, and interviews with Peter Stringfellow and Jarvis Cocker.
REVIEW:
I’ve been a fan of Ali G for years so it’s always good to have a chance to dip into a bit of modern nostalgia and sit back to enjoy some alternate comedy, yet for all that the show does right, this series really was the end for Ali as big budget seemed to spell the doom for a character that worked better with very little.
Whilst I had a lot of fun with the show, the cracks begin to tell in this series as the character changes to try and be something that I felt he wasn’t intended to be to try and liven up the aspects for the series. Yes you had a lot of fun with guests, you could see how the comedy worked but when you threw in “rapping” it felt like it took it way to far showing the huge cracks in Sasha’s ability.
All round, this one is more for the fans than for the general consumer and whilst there is something for everyone within, it is dated. A great shame but there are golden moments within.
Release Date: 31/03/14
Publisher: Paramount Home Entertainment
SYNOPSIS:
The first five episodes from the second series of the children's CGI-animated cartoon tracing the origins of the sewer-dwelling, superhero foursome Leonardo, Donatello, Raphael and Michelangelo. The episodes are: 'The Mutation Situation', 'Follow the Leader', 'Invasion of the Squirrelanoids', 'Mutagen Man Unleashed' and 'Mickey Gets Shellacne'.
REVIEW:
OK, I’m of the generation that remembers these half-shell heroes originally and lets be honest, they were damn awesome way back in the 90’s. So with the new film coming out in August, I wanted to see what our favourite ninja’s were to the new generation (and I ended up watching this with my nephews.) What occurs within is a tale of pure kickass action and whilst the animation has gone over to CG these days, its something that not only entertained the nephews but myself as well whilst I got introduced to the brand new villains that weren’t about from the old days.
All round I was more than entertained and lets be honest, if you’re younger family members are looking forward to the new film as much as my lot are, these new series DVD’s may well save your sanity as well as help to educate you in all things turtle.
All in a great bit of fun and for £7 you can have a lot of peace of mind. Well worth it.
Release Date: 02/12/13
Publisher: Warner Home Video
SYNOPSIS:
Zack Snyder directs this action adventure feature, produced by Christopher Nolan and based on the DC Comics hero. After being sent to Earth by his parents to prevent him from dying in the destruction of his home planet Krypton, an infant boy is taken in by Kansas farmer Jonathan Kent (Kevin Costner) and his wife Martha (Diane Lane), who name the child Clark. Growing up Clark (Cooper Timberline/Dylan Sprayberry) begins to discover the true potential of the superpowers he possesses but with this comes a sense of responsibility. In his 20s Clark (Henry Cavill) gets a job as a newspaper reporter at 'The Daily Planet' where he meets and later becomes romantically involved with colleague Lois Lane (Amy Adams). When an evil force threatens the Earth and its inhabitants, Clark resumes his true identity as a superhero and fights to save the planet. Michael Shannon, Russell Crowe and Laurence Fishburne co-star.
REVIEW:
OK, I didn’t get chance to catch this title at the pictures, however when I first saw that the novelisation was being published by Titan I ordered that. And to be honest I was disappointed with it, so I really didn’t hold up great hopes for the film, and boy was I wrong.
What happens within this title is the regeneration of a hero for the modern viewer, gone in the surety of earlier Superman’s, he questions himself and his abilities with the death of a loved one challenging his every choice. Its well written, the casting working beautifully (although for me Terence Stamp will always be Zod) with an imaginative script bringing solid dialogue alongside character interaction.
Add to this flashbacks of Clark’s Childhood and all round it helped form a better picture for this new incarnation whose common sense and hard choices make him a new breed of hero for movie fans. Great stuff.
Release Date: 14/10/13
Publisher: Liongate UK
SYNOPSIS:
Three office workers find themselves trapped by a sadistic psychopath in this horror from director David Brooks. Offering a ride home to his co-worker and love interest, Emily (Alice Eve), after their late night Christmas party, David (Brian Geraghty) feels obliged to help out when another employee, Corey (Josh Peck), asks for a lift to the nearest cash dispenser. But after entering the stand-alone unit, the three soon realise that they are being watched by a threatening hooded figure lurking in the car park. Trapped inside the booth, with their phones left in the car and panic setting in, they are horrified when the figure savagely murders a passing dog walker, setting in motion a terrifying game of cat and mouse.
REVIEW:
OK, so this is a film that you just can’t take seriously. It’s got a cast with the survival instinct of a manically depressed Lemming, has no real script other than lets go on a murder spree with a killer that’s dressed in a Parker that feels about as scary as parp in a spacesuit. And worryingly these are the film highlights.
So why would you rent this? Well to be honest it’s so bad that it’s funny and after a good 20 mins of laughing at the futility of it, we decided to mute it and do our own voice overs. OK, yes this might sound a little silly but for some entertainment, well it was worth having it in the TV. If you haven’t got the inclination to do this, then I’d advise you leave it purely on the shelf, unless of course you want to get vengeance on a relative that constantly gets you bad films in which case this would be the ultimate killer that might teach them a lesson.
Release Date: 23/09/13
Publisher: Warner Home Video
SYNOPSIS:
After being marooned for five years on a remote island, billionaire Oliver Queen returns home with a mysterious agenda and a lethal set of new skills that he uses in a war on crime in this hard-hitting action series. Reinventing the DC Comics character for a modern-day audience, the Arrow is not a superhero ... but a hero -- every bit as dangerous as the criminals he's hunting. After suffering unimaginable ordeals on the island, the Oliver returns to Starling City a new man -- determined to right the wrongs of his father and sworn to bring justice to those who've corrupted his city. But Oliver finds his crusade complicated by his friends and family. Overjoyed by his miraculous return, the Queen family nevertheless still trades on secrets that conflict with the Arrow's agenda. Oliver's return also affects his best friend, Tommy Merlyn, who will ultimately travel down a dark path; and the love of his life, Laurel Lance, who must somehow forgive Oliver before she can ever love him again. A dark and dangerous crime procedural with edge, intrigue and action, Oliver's story will be told from three perspectives: the Queen family, Oliver's harrowing ordeal on the island and the Arrow's adventures in Starling City. Showing all facets of the mysterious loner, this action drama follows the Oliver that disappeared, the one that returned and the one known as Arrow.
REVIEW:
With a lot of modern retelling of a fair number of superhero origns I’ve always wondered when Oliver Queen would get a chance to step out into the fore on his own. After all being a person with powers might be fun, but it’s the guys that have to rly on human strengths as well as ingenuity that really whet my appetite, its one reason that I love Ironman, Batman and of course The Green Arrow.
What this series does is bring it up to modern times with a solid cast and of course a storyline that kicks butt. Yes the first few episodes were hit or miss but as the series progressed it was something that I not only looked forward to but seeing how they would deal with a whole range of options within, especially when you add modern policing into what is essentially a vigilante hunt. It works wonderfully well, the script is fast paced and when you also add into this the screen chemistry between the cast members it’s a series that you can get behind right from the get go.
All round a whole heap of fun and for me, the flashbacks to the island were definitely something that I enjoyed seeing as you got to understand how he became the man he was when he returned to society at the series beginning. Great stuff.
Release Date: 13/05/13
Publisher: Warner Home Video
SYNOPSIS:
All episodes from the fifth and final season of the sci-fi television drama, co-created by J.J. Abrams, following a team investigating cases of strange phenomena that exist on the fringes of science. In this season, which takes place in a dystopian world in the year 2036, the Fringe team attempt to carry out a plan to defeat the Observers but sacrifices will have to be made if they are to succeed. The episodes comprise: 'Transilience Thought Unifier Model-11', 'In Absentia', 'The Recordist', 'The Bullet That Saved the World', 'An Origin Story', 'Through the Looking Glass and What Walter Found There', 'Five-Twenty-Ten', 'The Human Kind', 'Black Blotter', 'Anomaly XB-6783746', 'The Boy Must Live', 'Liberty' and 'An Enemy Fate'.
REVIEW:
OK, I probably shouldn’t have watched this as I haven’t seen any of the other series. But thanks to certain online sites I was able to catch up with what has gone before and sit back with a least a vague idea of what was happening.
For me, the storyline was pretty good, I loved the twists, the focus on the characters both emotionally and as the series worked up to its climax and also the way that the story was brought across. Add to this solid acting with a cast that you could get behind and believe what they were bringing to you and all round as a viewer I was more than happy. Defintiely something I will watch again, however I’m going to wait for reruns to get the fuller picture from season one.
Release Date: 02/07/12
Publisher: Warner Home Video
SYNOPSIS:
Falling Skies opens in the aftermath of an alien attack that has left most of the world completely incapacitated. The few remaining survivors have banded together. Each day is a test of survival as citizen soldiers work to protect the people while engaging in a campaign against the occupying alien force, whose purpose remains a mystery. Starring Noah Wyle, Moon Bloodgood, and Will Patton.
REVIEW:
This was something new to me and whilst I remember seeing it advertised on Fox, it was something that I wasn’t 100% sold on originally even though I knew that it starred the talented Noah Wyle (of Librarian fame.) What unfurled within is a story of human survival against an overwhelming alien foe. Its cleverly written, has a great overall arc and when added to the twists keeps the viewer emotionally engaged during each encounter as the humans try their best to figure out what’s happening.
All round a solid, though provoking show and whilst there is an absolute plethora of other similar themed shows out there, this one has great acting talent backed up with descent scripts which is where the money needed to be spent to keep the viewers attention. Yes the effects are limited within but I’d rather have something that kept my attention and made me care about the cast than something that was all show and explosions with no real plot.
A solid series and one that I’ll definitely be following from now on.
Release Date: 08/07/13
Publisher: Warner Home Video
SYNOPSIS:
Falling Skies opens in the chaotic aftermath of an alien attack that has left most of the world completely incapacitated. In the six months since the initial invasion, the few remaining survivors have banded together outside major cities to begin the difficult task of fighting back. Each day is a test of survival for these citizen soldiers against the occupying alien force, whose nature and purpose remains a mystery. The mystery deepens for the remaining survivors of the massive alien invasion as Falling Skies returns for its second season with mysterious new creatures.
Three months have passed since former college professor, father of three and unlikely leader of the civilian resistance group Tom Mason (Noah Wyle) went willingly with the aliens on one of their ships to free his son and learn their plans. Nobody has seen or heard anything from him during this time, and his absence has taken its toll on his sons. Ben and his older brother, Hal, have stepped up as fighters but quickly clash as they both seek to secure their roles as leaders in their father's absence. Many lives have been lost since Tom left, but the survivors of the 2nd Mass still struggle on with courage and resilience. In the first season, our heroes coped with the trauma of losing their world; this season, they take action and fight back.
REVIEW:
Luckily for me, I have been fortunate enough to be able to watch the two current seasons (as three is getting ready to air) on DVD back to back. It kept me in the loop as to what had gone before so I wasn’t having to rely on long term memory as well as trying to focus on current events.
As with the original series the script writing is not only solid but gives the viewer more of what they want, personal interactions as well as moving the story forward concentrating more on taking the planet back from the invaders as new unseen foes make their appearance.
All in, it was a show that I had a lot of fun with, I loved the twists with Noah’s reappearance and of course I also loved the way that the other cast members helped bring the 2nd Mass onto an even keel with the loss of their leader at the end of the last season. A cracking show and one that I can’t wait to watch the third season for.
Release Date: 24/06/13
Publisher: Paramount Home Entertainment
SYNOPSIS:
Get ready for a twisted take on the classic tale as Hansel (Jeremy Renner) and Gretel (Gemma Arterton) have turned pro, coping with the trauma of their childhood captivity by slaying witches for hire. But when the seemingly unstoppable bounty hunters meet their match in an enemy so evil, it'll take all their training, weapons and courage to survive.
Special Features:
The Witching Hours
REVIEW:
OK, this was a film I’ve been looking forward to for quite some time. I loved Jeremy Renner in roles he’s played before and with the addition of Gemma Arterton and the beautiful Famke Janssen I thought it would be a pretty good film all round. That unfortunately was as good as it got as to be honest I felt that the script was pretty poor. Don’t get me wrong, the actors do a reasonable job with what they’re given but all round the film was slow in places and didn’t really seek to explore any number of themes that could have not only made it better for the viewer but also made you care about the various fates of the cast within.
Effect wise they were reasonable and for this film this is where the majority of the money was spent I suspect and as a viewer whilst I was entertained to a certain degree, I really won’t be watching it again any time soon as I felt that it was all visual with very little else. All round a great disappointment and if they were to make a sequel I would suggest something that focuses more on the cast helping them to grow rather than just another action flick with Van Helsing style weaponry.
Release Date: 25/02/13
Publisher: Sony Home Entertainment
SYNOPSIS:
Having grown up thinking she was just a normal girl next door, Bo (Anna Silk) now suspects that there's nothing normal about her. After learning that she's a Succubus, a mythical being that drains its sex partners of life, Bo fights to control her powers while searching for the truth about her mysterious past.
REVIEW:
Fantasy is something that can be very hard to get right. You need to have solid world building, a set of rules for the magick’s involved, a convincing history and then you have to work out your various cultures giving them an identity. All that and more were carefully added within this title and when Francis backed that up with a great storyline, top notch prose alongside a cast that really adds flavour all round makes this a cracking debut.
I really can’t wait to see what develops in future instalments and here’s hoping that the second book curse doesn’t strike as this is going to give me something to look forward to. Great stuff.
Release Date: 28/01/13
SYNOPSIS:
The Umbrella Corporation’s deadly T-virus continues to ravage the Earth, transforming the global population into legions of the flesh eating Undead. The human race’s last and only hope, Alice (Jovovich), awakens in the heart of Umbrella's most clandestine operations facility and unveils more of her mysterious past as she delves further into the complex. Without a safe haven, Alice continues to hunt those responsible for the outbreak; a chase that takes her from Tokyo to New York, Washington, D.C. and Moscow, culminating in a mind-blowing revelation that will force her to rethink everything that she once thought to be true. Aided by newfound allies and familiar friends, Alice must fight to survive long enough to escape a hostile world on the brink of oblivion. The countdown has begun.
Special Features:
• Director and Cast Commentary
• Director and Producer Commentary
• Drop (Un)Dead: The Creatures of Retribution
• Outtakes
REVIEW:
Whilst I was originally a big fan of the Resident Evil Franchise, the more recent films have failed to impress me, its not because of a lack of budget or effects but more for the fact that a lot of it feels like its there to confuse with some weird twists without providing any real credible idea’s. Don’t get me wrong, I still love watching Alice kick butt, I still love watching the various characters fight the mutated but when it really isn’t doing much for the viewer other than to provide weak links between combat its really time to call it a day.
All round, its more of the same and if you just want something to watch that doesn’t require much brain power its an entertaining enough film to enjoy with a few beers and a pizza, but if you start looking too deep it falls apart. All round, definitely pleased that I saw it and I’m hoping that the next one will be the last in the franchise as this title appears to have set itself up for a real combative conclusion that may well take us all back to the originals with some new monsters (I want more of those Popokarimu (the flying things you see at the end.)
Release Date: 04/02/13
SYNOPSIS:
Welcome to Hotel Transylvania, Dracula’s lavish five-stake resort, where monsters and their families can live it up and no humans are allowed. One special weekend, Dracula (Adam Sandler) has invited all his best friends – Frankenstein and his wife, the Mummy, the Invisible Man, the Werewolf family, and more – to celebrate his beloved daughter Mavis’s (Selena Gomez) 118th birthday. For Dracula catering to all of these legendary monsters is no problem
but the party really starts when one ordinary guy stumbles into the hotel and changes everything!
REVIEW:
OK, so I wasn’t exactly working in my lab late one night but this definitely was an eerie sight when I opened the package to discover this cracking CG Anime from Sony. Featuring all the great monsters of the movies, this title had a simple premise but a lot of fun added to make it something that is not only unique but something that I had a lot of fun watching. Yes, the casting worked very well but whilst I was sat there, I was waiting for a few things that didn’t happen. First off I expected Monster Mash in there somewhere (which didn’t materialise and with a name like Hotel Transylvania, they could have rewritten a certain similar sounding song by the Eagles.)
But even that didn’t detract from the laughs as human meets monster in a nicely turned concept as the fears and predjuces of their kind comes to light. Add to this some wonderful vocal work from some big names, some emotional turmoil and a certain special birthday which all round left it as a fun piece to view.
Perhaps not something for the kids straight away but I know that this is something that my nephews will get a real blast from pretty soon. (One of them is Monster Crazy.)
If you’d like to win some Hotel Transylvania goodies, check out the MONSTER ME Facebook competition. You could win a Micro Scooter for the kids by uploading a video of them doing monster impressions from the film, enter if you dare!
Release Date: 28/01/13
SYNOPSIS:
All ten episodes from the first season of the time-travelling Canadian sci-fi drama. Whilst attempting to stop eight terrorists, known as Liber8, from escaping execution, Vancouver law enforcement officer Kiera Cameron (Rachel Nichols) finds herself transported from the year 2077 to 2012. In her attempts to track down the terrorists and prevent them from changing the future, Keira joins the present day Vancouver Police Department, enlisting the help of 17-year-old tech geek Alec Sadler (Erik Knudsen) and local officer Carlos Fonnegra (Victor Webster). The episodes are: 'A Stitch in Time', 'Fast Times', 'Wasting Time', 'Matter of Time', 'A Test of Time', 'Time's Up', 'The Politics of Time', 'Playtime', 'Family Time' and 'End Times'.
REVIEW:
I caught the first couple of episodes on the Syfy Channel and whilst I was interested it wasn’t something that originally stuck with me enough to watch it all the way through. Now this isn’t a case of because I was bored, it was more to do with a lot of the subtle nuances within that whilst you remember it at the time, over subsequent weeks when others work their way though, you’ve forgotten what has gone before which is why a DVD release is a real joy to own.
What you get within this, is a top notch story that whilst following some of the conventions that other futuristic time travel series have utilised really works on the principle character trying her damnedest to not affect the current time and thus change the future as she or her family will change. It’s a solid premise and when you add the heroine chasing a group of villains all set on starting a war that will change events, really works on so many levels.
Add to this solid performances, some wonderful film trickery to help you get the emotional aspects (though the use of camera filters) and solid story arc linking all ten episodes and it’s a series that works very well for me as a viewer. Great stuff.
Release Date: 28/01/13
SYNOPSIS:
In the fifth installment of the Wrong Turn franchise, a small West Virginia town is hosting the legendary Mountain Man Festival on Halloween, where throngs of costumed party goers gather for a wild night of music and mischief. But an inbred family of hillbilly cannibals kill the fun when they trick and treat themselves to a group of visiting college students.
REVIEW:
The fifth outing in the series and whilst you don’t expect it to anything Oscar worthy you know damn well what you’re going to get, a story of gore, murder, mayhem and of course cannibals. Whilst the plotline is quite simple for this title it is one that for me was perhaps the goriest to date, that’s not to detract from the storyline but when you add the amount of victims into the mix really left the story only one real way to go. Yes its not complex, yes its simply gore horror but these titles offer something I like, an unhappy ending.
With the addition of a new cast member to the hill billies side this film works well which when added to a few unbelievable moments (such as the forward thinking of the deformed murderers which the principle guy on their side denies that they have early on,) makes this a film to enjoy with a friend and pizza.
